SIMPLE ANTIBODY TEST CAN DIAGNOSE CELIAC DISEASE

Gluten-free diet can ease symptoms, lead to healing

Craving a slice of pizza or feeling enticed by that chocolate chip cookie? If you’re one of the 2 million Americans living with celiac disease, these feelings are more than just temptations; they’re potentially harmful to your health.

Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a digestive condition caused by an abnormal immune response to consumption of gluten, a protein typically found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and other similar foods. When people with celiac disease eat these foods, the result is often stomach pain, bloating and diarrhea.

Because celiac disease’s common symptoms – as well as additional symptoms like joint pain, muscle cramps, weight loss and fatigue – are shared with a number of other conditions like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and anemia, it can often be difficult to diagnose.

A correct diagnosis, however, is vital. Celiac disease can develop anytime from infancy to adulthood. There is a common misconception that celiac disease is confined to thin people who are losing weight, but it can strike anyone at any weight. Research has shown that people with Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, Down syndrome, or microscopic colitis tend to be at greater risk. Women especially need to be aware of the symptoms as celiac disease could lead to complications with fertility and pregnancy, as well as an increased risk of depression.

Keeping all of this in mind, patients who suspect they have celiac disease should ask their physician for a blood test, called the TTG antibody test. The disease often has genetic implications, so family members of celiac patients should be especially mindful of being tested. During this test, your doctor will take a tissue sample from your small intestine and measure its antibodies to a protein called tissue transglutaminase (TTG) that is found naturally in the body. Approximately 90 percent of the time, if the biopsy shows elevated levels of these antibodies, a diagnosis of celiac disease will be made.

While celiac disease has no cure, it can be effectively managed through diet. Adopting a gluten-free diet is the most popular strategy for combating celiac disease. On this diet, patients must avoid all foods containing gluten, including barley, wheat, rye, semolina and bulgur. Your doctor or a dietitian will be able to provide you with a full list of foods to avoid. Once these foods have been removed from your diet, inflammation in your small intestine will begin to subside. Most patients feel better within a few days, although complete healing of your small intestine can take several months to two or three years. And fortunately, given this diet’s increase in popularity, many restaurants and markets now offer delicious gluten-free alternatives.

To learn more about celiac disease, contact the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness at celiaccentral.org

Dr. Errol Korn is a gastroenterologist and chief of staff at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.